The Clean Romance Podcast
Sarah and Tiffany discuss clean romance books, swoon-worthy tropes, faith, and the appeal of stories that are pure, hopeful, and deeply romantic. They share recommendations and insights for listeners who love romance that leaves them smiling instead of blushing.
Episodes
Bookstagram Burnout: When Reading Starts Feeling Like a Job (with Amy King & Maggie Blankenship)
Is Bookstagram stealing the joy from reading? Between endless ARC commitments, Goodreads reading goals, social media algorithms, and the pressure to support ALL the authors, sometimes our favorite hobby starts feeling like a full-time job!This week on The Clean Romance Podcast, we're joined by Bookstagrammers Amy King and Maggie Blankenship for an honest (and hilarious!) conversation about Bo
One Author's Bold Stand Against Spice in Traditional Publishing
What happens when a major publisher tells you your YA fantasy needs more spice, and you say no?This week, Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon are joined by international bestselling YA fantasy author Cassandra James to talk about faith, traditional publishing, and having the courage to stick to your convictions. Cass shares the incredible story of walking away from a potential publishing
Are Three Star Reviews Good, Bad, or just Okay?
⭐ Is a three-star book review good…or bad?This week on The Clean Romance Podcast, Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon dive into the complicated world of book reviews and star ratings. What does a three-star review actually mean? Do readers see three stars differently than authors do? And can a negative review actually help sell a book?🚢💕 CLEAN ROMANCE GETAWAYS CRUISE Cruise with us on the
Wait, is that romance trope clean?!
Can any romance trope be written clean?This week, Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon are joined by author Lindsay Rochester to talk about romance tropes that might sound spicy but can absolutely work in clean romance. From one bed and not his baby to accidental pregnancy, morally gray heroes, and protective MMCs, we’re talking about where the lines are, how clean romance creates romanti
Is Choosing Clean Romance "Purity Culture"?
Is clean romance part of “toxic purity culture”? And what’s the difference between sexual purity and purity culture?In this episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon tackle a difficult and timely conversation happening across BookTok, Bookstagram, and the romance book community. They discuss the backlash against fantasy romance author Elizabeth Wheatley aft
Why We Love Sports Rom-Coms with author Savannah Scott
Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon welcome romcom author Savannah Scott to talk all things sports romance! Savannah shares the story behind her new Tennessee Thunder football series (spun off from her Firemen of Waterford, TN books), the unique challenges of writing romance around a pro sports season, and her predictions for the next big trend in the genre (hint: cowboys and cozy fantasy
Pack Your Bags!!! We're going on a bookish cruise!
What happens when you put a bunch of clean romance authors, Bookstagrammers, and readers on a cruise ship together? We’re about to find out. In this special episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, we’re sharing all the details about the Clean Romance Getaway—a five-day bookish cruise created especially for clean romance readers!We’re talking about where we're going, who’s joining us, what you c
What Makes Us Fall in Love With a Book? Plus, Book Speed Dating.
What makes us fall head-over-heels for a book? Sarah is joined by special guest co-host Rosie from Reading.Rosie to talk about the things that turn a good book into a five-star favorite—from characters who feel like family and stories that make us laugh out loud to authentic faith, hard things, and books that leave us wanting to open our Bibles.Plus, they play Book Speed Dating, sharing books they
Our Current Projects, Writing Challenges, and More
Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon pull back the curtain on their current works in progress! From co-writing a small-town romance series to tackling marriage restoration, infertility, baseball, redemption, and even a nonfiction book about biblical resilience, they share what they're writing, what's challenging them, and what they've learned along the way.What does the writ
Cancel Culture in the Book Community: Where should clean romance readers draw the line?
In this episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon talk about clean romance, social media boundaries, cancel culture, and the challenges of navigating the publishing world today. They discuss the difference between setting personal boundaries and “canceling” someone, the role of AI in publishing, and why book covers don’t always tell the whole story. Plus, t
Read This Not That (No more Booktok FOMO)
Skip the BookTok FOMO: Clean Romance Dupes You'll LoveLove seeing everyone's BookTok recommendations but wish there were more clean romance options? The Clean Romance Podcast has you covered! In this episode, Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon are sharing some of their favorite clean (and mostly clean) alternatives to BookTok's biggest hits.But first, thank you to this epi
Why Does YA Need Spice Anyway? The argument against explicit content in young adult books with guest host, ReadingRosy
Why is there spice in YA books? Has young adult fiction changed over the years, and… who is the YA category really for anyway?In this episode, we’re discussing the rise of explicit content in young adult books, how BookTok and publishing trends have influenced the genre, and the debate surrounding books for teens. We also explore why some books are removed from school libraries and how parents can
Closed Door Romance Authors We Love
At The Clean Romance Podcast, we're passionate about sharing clean romance, but this week Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon are stepping just outside their usual lane to talk about some of their favorite closed-door romance authors.These books keep the romance behind closed doors but may include occasional mild language or LGBTQ side characters. If you're a regular listener, d
It's Christmas in July! Escape the heat with Christmas clean romance books
It’s Christmas in July! This week Tiffany is chatting with Lindsay Rochester about clean Christmas reads, Hallmark movies and fake dating practice kisses. Thanks so much to Jackie Q. Roe for sponsoring this week’s episode! If you love fake dating, small town charm and youth camp, check out The Facts and Fictions of Love for FREE this week (June 14-17th): https://amzn.to/4fuwnDSLetters to Mrs. Clau
Books That Celebrate America: Clean romance reads with sports, heroes, and holidays
Join Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Sarah Ruth Hickner as they celebrate America's 250th birthday with a story about a very American adventure in a kayak before diving into a collection of clean romance books that capture the heart of the nation. From soldiers to sports (and some girl bosses), these stories remind us why we love this country. This week’s Christmas in July book sponsor is Terms and
Age Is Just a Number...Or Is It? A discussion about the age of main characters in romance
In this episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, Sarah Ruth Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon dive into the role age plays in today's romance and fantasy books. Why are so many protagonists in their late teens and early twenties? Do readers want more stories featuring characters in their thirties, forties, and beyond, or are we happy escaping into worlds filled with twenty-year-olds saving kingd
Has Bookstagram Changed How We Read Romance? a conversation with Emma St Clair
Clean romance author Emma St Clair joins Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Sarah Ruth Hickner to chat about how social media has changed the way we read.This episode is brought to you by Off the Bench: a clean football rom-com with an off-limits love and reverse grumpy/sunshine main characters! This week it’s on sale for $0.99 on Kindle. You can also read it in Kindle Unlimited or on paperback. Go check o
If She Writes It, I'll Read It - Clean Romance Edition
Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Sarah Hickner share some of their favorite clean romance authors. These are authors that we consider "auto-buy." No matter the cover, title, or subject matter, we're all in!If you need more clean romance book recommendations in your world, this is your episode!Thank you so much to this week's episode sponsor: Mind Reader by Mimika Cooney - a slow burn
The Value of a Light-Hearted Read with Author Courtney Walsh
Award-winning author Courtney Walsh joins Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Sarah Hickner for a conversation about light-hearted romances and why we need them. If you aren't a fan of Courtney Walsh yet you should check out her books. They are the bees knees (according to Sarah), and her newest book, Brighter Than Before, is a great place to start!Today's book sponsor is All the Things That Come
ROMANCE AUTHORS: How to turn your book into a 5-star read workshop
Have you ever wondered what it takes to write a book that Sarah Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon dish about in their weekly roundup of five-star reads? They're going to share that and so much more in their Five-Star Author Workshop on June 19. Part teaching, part building community--get ready for a two-hour workshop that will up your game as an author.Register at www.thecleanromancepodcast.c
What to do when your favorite author goes spicy…
It can feel like a betrayal when a favorite closed door romance author starts writing explicit content. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down with Sarah Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon as we discuss what to do—and not do—when your fave author turns spicy. This week, will you join us in prayer for your favorite authors who have started writing explicit content? “The prayer of a righteous person is po
The Clean Romance Pod Summer Reading Guide
If the days after Memorial Day count as summer, then summer has officially arrived! In this episode, Sarah Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon share their top summer reading recommendations—from books they couldn’t put down to exciting upcoming releases. If you love clean romance with just a touch of fantasy, this list will keep you swooning all summer long.Visit The Clean Romance Podcast for the fu
Who Says Suspense Needs Spice to Sizzle?
Natalie Walters, suspense author of nine novels including her newest release, Spies Lies & Alibis, joins Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Sarah Hickner for a discussion about making romantic suspense sizzle without the spice. This week's episode sponsor is Whispers in the Dark by Holly Bowne. She can’t stand him. He can’t leave her alone. Especially when a sinister force threatens her safety. As
You're Obsessed with Jane Austen...Even if You've Never Read Her
Author Kim Griffin joined Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Sarah Hickner to chat about the surprising connection between modern romance and Jane Austen. If you love romance novels, there’s a good chance you’re already an Austen fan — whether you know it or not.The book sponsor for this episode is Love Beyond the Game: A later in life hockey rom-com with nods to Jane Austen written by Abby Greyson. Find L
Free Books: Are they actually worth it?
In this week's episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Sarah Hickner discuss the value of free books. Is it really worth the space they take up in our Kindles? And how many of them are we actually reading?But on the flip side, as an author, is it worth investing in a free book to give away? Don't miss this conversation that will make you think twice before clickin
Do Books Make You Hungry? (Clean Romance Edition)
In this fun episode, Sarah Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon explore the very deep and important question: Do books make you hungry? They share favorite foodie reads, discuss how books influence their eating habits, and highlight their favorite series and recipes inspired by books.Thank you to this week's episode sponsor: The Design and Destiny of Love by Jackie Q Roe (A second chance small t
From Dark to Light - How One Author Switched from Writing Spice to Christian Fiction
This week, Sarah Hickner sits down with Ann J. David to discuss Ann’s switch from writing spicy romance to writing Christian romance.Ann writes Christian romance and her hockey series, Heart of a Ranger can be found here: https://www.payhip.com/AnnJDavidAuthor You can also follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/annj.davidThanks to our sponsor, Erin Chestnut, and her book, Fight fo
Are We Dumb for Reading Romance?
Are we actually dumb for loving romance… or are we onto something?In this episode, Tiffany Noelle Chacon and Sarah Hickner tackle the “mindless drivel” stereotype head-on, sharing real talk about judgment, why clean romance matters, and how these stories might just make us happier, more empathetic humans.This week's episode sponsor is The Doctor's Nanny by Rose Fresquez https://amzn.to/4
Do Deeper Themes Belong in RomCom?
In this episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, Sarah Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon are joined by clean romance author Annah Conwell as we discuss whether deeper and darker themes belong in rom-coms. Annah writes emotional rom-coms as well as romantasy under the pen name A.R. Conwell. You can find her on Instagram at @authorannahconwell or @authorarconwell as well as her websites https://www.ann
What should you read when you want to grow closer to God?
With Easter approaching, Sarah Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon share the clean romance books that have encouraged their faith and stayed with them long after the final page. From historical fiction to contemporary fantasy, these stories have impacted us, and we think they’ll impact you, too.For links to these book recommendations, check out www.TheCleanRomancePodcast.comThis week's sponsor
Do Politics Belong in Clean Romance? An interview with Drew Taylor
In this episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, we’re joined by clean romance author Drew Taylor as we explore the nuanced role of politics in clean and Christian romance novels. Don’t worry—we’re not telling you who to vote for or endorsing a specific party!We discuss how worldview, morals, and political themes can be woven into storytelling—without it becoming an us vs. them mentality. We also tal
What Is Clean Romance? (And what 'clean' really means)
We’re the Clean Romance Podcast, but what exactly makes a romance “clean”? And no, it’s not books about vacuuming.In this episode, we unpack the four pillars of clean romance, talk about why these stories matter to us, and get a little vulnerable along the way (don’t worry—Sarah edited the worst of it out).Thanks to this week’s episode sponsor The Space Between Our Hearts by Hannah Stone. The Spac
Should Christians Read Dark Romance?
Authors Tawni Suchy and Latisha Sexton join us for a thoughtful conversation about dark romance—what it is and whether it’s something Christians should be reading. We also explore a deeper question: why are we drawn to stories with gritty, soul-stirring themes in the first place?You can find Latisha through her website https://latishasexton.com/ and on Instagram, @sincerely.latishaYou can find Taw
This is your sign to stop reading that book. An episode on DNF'ing
Listeners asked, and Sarah and Tiffany delivered. If you’ve ever found yourself halfway through a book wondering, Should I even finish this? — this episode is for you. They share what makes them officially DNF a book (or skim to the end), and how they decide when it’s worth pushing through. This episode of The Clean Romance Podcast is brought to you by the clean romance book "No Small Dreams&
Why One Bookstagrammer Decided to be Bold in Her Faith
Rosy from @reading.rosyyy joins us this week for an honest and heartfelt conversation about her journey as a clean romance reader, Bookstagrammer, and leader for Christian women.We start with a fun round of red flag/green flag before shifting into a deeper discussion that truly took us to church.We talk about questions that matter:+Should Christian women read whatever they want?+What does it look
How to Make and Keep a Book Bestie!
Tiffany and Sarah celebrate Galentines by inviting their book besties onto the show. Susan Friedland, author of multiple non-fiction horse books, and Lindsay Rochester, clean romance author, join the show for fun games and deep conversations.Whether it's Galentines or July, this is a conversation that's worth listening to if you have or wish you had more bookish friends.This episode is s
Is Reading Romance Bad for Your Marriage?
In this episode of the Clean Romance Podcast, we settle in for a real, honest chat about how romance novels can shape our expectations, our hearts, and even our marriages. We share personal stories, talk about what romance reading looks like in different seasons of life (including singleness), and wrestle with finding a healthy balance in what we read. Since we're talking about romance and ma
How Books Lead You To Your People
Books have a funny way of leading us exactly where we’re meant to be.In this episode, we share what it was like attending a writers conference and how that experience compares to life as a solopreneur—not just for writers, but for anyone building something largely on their own. We talk about the joy of finding your people, why community matters so much, and just how much fun we had along the way.W
The Episode That Almost Didn't Happen
Snowstorms, hot takes, Tiffany's writer origin story, and a LOT of technical difficulties.This week on the Clean Romance Podcast, we’re starting cozy with snowstorms, reading plans, and how weather can completely derail (or inspire) a good reading mood.Then we respond to a recent social media post declaring clean romance “bad for Christians.” While the statement was intended to stop the scrol
How Does Smut Affect Your Brain? With author Madelyn Smith
This week on the Clean Romance Podcast, we’re joined by clean romance author Madelyn Smith for an honest and thoughtful conversation about explicit content in books and how it affects the brain.Madelyn shares her personal story of overcoming a smut addiction and why she ultimately chose to write clean romance, all while sharing tips for readers with similar struggles. We also discussed the languag
Hormones & Reading: How Your Cycle Affects the Books You Love
Have you ever loved a book one week… and couldn’t stand something similar the next? You’re not crazy—your hormones might be in charge.In this episode of the Clean Romance Podcast, we talk about how a woman’s hormonal cycle affects the way we read, feel, and review books. Tiffany walks us through the four stages of the cycle, what’s happening in our bodies, how we typically feel in each phase, and
Goodreads Goals & Other Questionable Life Choices
Are Goodreads goals helping readers or hurting them?In this episode, we kick off the new year by questioning reading goals, New Year’s resolutions, and the pressure to turn joy into a number. We talk about whether we set Goodreads goals (or rebel against them), what we want to see change in our reading lives this year, and how to read with more freedom and intention.If you’ve ever felt behind, bur
Closing Out 2025: Life Updates, Bookish Hits & Misses, and Our Top Reads
As we close out 2025, we’re taking time to reflect on a year that was both hard and beautiful—in life and in books.In this final episode of the year, we look back on the moments that shaped us, including being in New Orleans during a terrorist attack, navigating major health-driven changes that led Tiffany to move away from family, and the unexpected healing and gratitude that followed. This year
The Christmas Book Reveal: Story, Title Winner & Holiday Fun
In one of our very first episodes, we dreamed up a Christmas romance—and now it’s finally here. In this episode, we reveal the finished story and announce the winner of our Christmas book title contest!We’re also getting festive with a round of Christmas This or That (play along in the comments on YouTube), and wrapping things up by sharing YOUR latest five-star reads based on our live viewers com
Clean Romance vs Sweet: Let’s Talk Labels with Rachel Parker from @ClosedDoorRomance
What do clean romance, closed door, fade-to-black, open door, low spice, and no spice actually mean? If romance book terms leave you feeling confused, you’re not alone.In this episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, we’re joined by Rachel Parker of @ClosedDoorRomance for a fun game of Two Tropes and a Lie, followed by a deep dive into romance spice levels and reader expectations. Rachel breaks down
Bookish Terms and How We Really Feel About Them, plus Tiffany's Meet-Cute!
Let’s just say FML and FMC are very different things.In this episode, we break down the most common bookish terms you’ll spot on Bookstagram, BookTok, and Goodreads. If you’ve ever wondered what DNF or HFN actually mean—or you just love hearing us rant and rave about them—this one’s for you.Plus, Tiffany shares her meet-cute, and when we say it was young love, we mean YOUNG. Prepare to swoon, gigg
The Christmas Romance Takeover: Why We’re Obsessed, The Crafting of Love + Our 5-Star Favorite(s)
It’s a Christmas romance extravaganza! In this festive episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, we dig into why holiday love stories have such a hold on us. Are we drawn to the coziness? The nostalgia? The mistletoe? Or do Christmas romances accidentally set us up for unrealistic expectations?Then we put our money where our mouth is and plot our own Christmas romance, written just for our listeners.
Is clean romance cheesy? Real-Life meet-cutes, & more
In episode 2 of The Clean Romance Podcast, we talk about the elephant in the room. Is Christian romance cringey? And what about clean romance? Tiffany and Sarah have a lot to say on this, and Tiffany's conclusion might rock your world. Pull up a chair, because Sarah shares her real-life meet-cute with her husband of almost 20 years. (I know, you thought we were in our 20's, but it's
Why We Skip the Spice: Plus, meet the hostesses and play a bookish this or that!
Welcome to the first official episode of The Clean Romance Podcast! 🎧Hosts Sarah Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon kick things off with laughter, honesty, and heart. Get to know them as they play This or That, talk about their favorite kinds of love stories, and share what led them to choose clean romance over spice.Check out the Five Star Reads here: Let's Pretend by Lindsay RochesterThe Per
Meet Your New Favorite Clean Romance Podcast
Get a sneak peek into the Clean Romance Podcast! In this short trailer, Sarah and Tiffany share what you can expect each week—five-star book recommendations, swoony tropes, meaningful conversations, and a whole lot of fun. If you love clean romance and stories filled with heart and hope, hit follow and join us for all the episodes to come!Join the conversation on your favorite social channel!Insta
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